BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 528
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 528 (Chesbro)
As Amended May 27, 2011
Majority vote
WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 11-0
APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Huffman, Halderman, Bill |Ayes:|Fuentes, Harkey, |
| |Berryhill, Blumenfield, | |Blumenfield, Bradford, |
| |Campos, Fong, Gatto, | |Charles Calderon, Campos, |
| |Roger Hernández, Hueso, | |Davis, Donnelly, Gatto, |
| |Olsen, Yamada | |Hall, Hill, Lara, |
| | | |Mitchell, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Solorio, Wagner |
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SUMMARY : Extends the sunset date and operation of the
Steelhead Trout Fishing Report-Restoration Card (Steelhead Card)
until July 1, 2017. Specifically, this bill :
1)Extends the operation of the Steelhead Card program to July 1,
2017. The program will otherwise sunset on January 1, 2013.
2)Requires DFG to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2016,
regarding the Steelhead Card program's projects. Requires the
report to be submitted in compliance with Government Code
Section 9795, which requires that reports to the Legislature
be submitted to the Legislative Counsel and the Secretary of
the Senate, and an electronic copy submitted to the Chief
Clerk of the Assembly, and sets out other parameters for such
reports.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires any person taking steelhead trout in inland waters to
have in their possession a valid nontransferable Steelhead
Card issued by DFG. Requires the cardholder to record certain
fishing information on the Card, and to return the Card to
DFG.
2)Establishes the base fee for a Steelhead Card at $5 in 2004,
adjusted for inflation in later years. The current fee for
2011 is $6.48.
AB 528
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3)Requires fees from sale of Steelhead Cards to be deposited in
the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and available upon
appropriation by the Legislature to monitor, restore, or
enhance steelhead trout resources and to administer the
Steelhead Card program. Requires DFG to submit all proposed
expenditures to the Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead
Trout for review and comment prior to submitting a request for
appropriation of the funds in the annual Budget Bill.
4)Requires DFG to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2007, on
the Steelhead Card program and any projects undertaken with
the fee revenues.
5)Contains a sunset clause providing that the Steelhead Card
program shall become inoperative on July 1, 2012, and as of
January 1, 2013, is repealed unless a later enacted statute
that is enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends
those dates.
FISCAL EFFECT : Minor, absorbable costs to DFG.
COMMENTS : The author notes that continuation of this program
is important because the Steelhead Card is the only state-wide
program designed to gather data on steelhead fishing, and the
majority of California's steelhead populations are listed under
the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). For this reason,
angling information is critical not only to ensure that angling
does not cause further impacts to steelhead populations, but
also to demonstrate that impacts due to angling are minimal.
This information is necessary in order to allow angling to
continue under provisions of the ESA. Failure to collect this
data could result in closure of steelhead fisheries across the
state. DFG's goal is to improve steelhead habitat and
populations, and enhance steelhead fishing opportunities and
success. This requires accurate and complete data from
steelhead anglers. Revenue from sale of the cards also provides
a source of funds which can be used for monitoring, restoring or
enhancing steelhead trout resources. Without this bill, the
Steelhead Card program will sunset next year.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
AB 528
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FN: 0000935